SIU Women’s basketball season preview

After being crowned the Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions in their 2021-22 season, the Southern Illinois women’s basketball team is aiming to do it again in its upcoming season.

“We know that we can get to that point, and all of our returning girls want to get back to where we were last season, or better, so I think that that sets a high expectation for us,” team captain Adrianna Katcher said.

Under new head coach Kelly Bond-White, the Salukis have a good outlook and are ready to take last season’s success and continue to build on their program. This preseason, Bond has been focused on her team being on the same page every time they step onto the court.

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“We look back and acknowledge what was done last year, but in terms of our expectations, we chart the journey but right now. We’re not talking about the destination, ” she said. 

Katcher said this preseason has been different because the team is going through a lot of growing pains that it didn’t have to deal with last season with a new coach and loads of new players joining the team.

“I think we’re all different and don’t know each other that well and how each other plays. We’re working on learning that about each other and I think that will help us grow as a team,” she said. 

Key players the team lost after last season, like Makenzie Silvey and Abby Brockmeyer, are going to be big shoes for the Salukis to fill this season. Silvey earned the title of Southern Illinois’ all time leading scorer in the 2021-22 season, and Brockmeyer won MVC player of the year.

Brockmeyer and Silvey accounted for over 51% of the Salukis to talk scoring last season, which presents a tall task for the 2022-23 team in terms of replicating that type of performance.

Bond and junior transfer Promise Taylor agreed the spots Silvey and Brockmeyer held are not going to be able to be filled by a single person. 

“It’s going to be collective, Coach Bond is big on everyone doing their jobs. I think that we are all going to have to know our roles and do our jobs and we should be fine,” Taylor said.

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With not only a new head coach, but a combined seven transfers and freshmen this season, the new Salukis have a lot on their plates learning the dynamics of their new team and creating a good team chemistry. 

“We’ve been doing a lot of team bonding exercises. We went and saw a movie as a team, we have team dinners, we’ve done locker room get togethers, like, movie nights. By the time season gets here our chemistry is going to be great,” Taylor said. 

These are just some of the things Bond is putting into place to help create a successful program for Southern Illinois Women’s Basketball.

Certain players are another key factor, like Katcher. As a junior forward, she was already voted captain by the team this upcoming season. Younger players like Katcher will have to take more of a leadership role than in the past years. 

“She’s been so constant and you have to have those leaders that lead by example, and if anyone stuck out the most about what we’re trying to build here when I talk about excellence is Adrianna. I’m looking forward to her being a strong part of this program this year,” Bond said. 

The Salukis have a bright look out on the 2022-23 season after an amazing preseason with their new head coach. With a lot on their plate in terms of replacing some of their past leaders, the team is still confident in their abilities for the upcoming season.

The team will start its season with an exhibition game on Saturday Nov. 5 against McKendree University. The Salukis will take on the Bearcats at home at 2 p.m. 

To stay up to date with all of your Southern Illinois news follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter. Sports reporter Joei Younker can be reached at [email protected].

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